#tiny jil spotted!!!!!

[miutonium]

Im so sorry @jils-things but you made me want to go on a tangent about art supplies in a bit cuz I'm a nerd andhekqkwkdjwoqo i lov u pls dont go away- 😭

Anyway yes I usually make a very light sketch with my pencil so that I could erase it easily for me to retrace it but I am here to make a very important public announcement and I feel that it is my duty to inform the public on something that could be beneficial to the society.

Behold: Kneading Eraser

This fucker have multiple names; Putty eraser, gummy eraser, kneaded eraser,clay. It's going through a phase, please don't judge it, let it change name every 10 seconds.

What I need is that I want everyone to put everything down and listen to what I say: You run to the art store, Michael's, Art Friend, soup store, whatever store you get your art supply at. You ask the store clerk you want a putty eraser and if they dont give you a putty eraser, tell them they're a loser in malay (it's mak kau hijau. The more your learn folks) and then go to the next store and find a putty eraser until you get them. Its not expensive, it cost me less than 2 bucks for 1 pack of putty eraser.

Why you may ask? Well, I can assure you as someone who draws, putty eraser is much much MUCH better than a normal generic eraser.

First of all, there's no dust. When you erase a line with this boy, there wont be any rubber shit nugget clumping on the table and making a mess on your bed (i know you hate your spine too and likes to draw on bed i live in ur walls u guys better sleep with 1 eye open). I'm so serious like I have 0 eraser shavings in my house since I use a putty eraser. Please stop sleeping covered in eraser shavings.

It's also malleable. You can literally shape it to whatever shape that you want so you could erase a a tiny spot that you couldn't reach without disturbing other lines. And it works sooooo well as a stress ball or a toy. People actually knead it into animal shape. Can you shape a normal rectangle eraser into a giraffe? CAN YOU? DO YOU SEE MY POINT?

Do you suffer from loneliness? Do you need a conversation opener? Are you tired of kneading an eraser to shape it into a friend? Believe it or not, putty eraser is a great conversation starter when you dont want to start a conversation! As a personal anecdote: whenever I sketch in school, if anyone I know sees me sketching, they will always ask me what the fuck is the clay thing I use to erase my lines and then I have to explain to them what is a kneadable eraser and then whenever I demo'd the eraser, an amusing OOOOOOO will come out and they will play with my eraser for like 5 mins. Am I mad that my eraser is taken away? No because the eraser can also be s e p e r a t e d . Black magic fuckery. Please go buy a putty eraser.

Anyway for the pencil, I swear to god if you ever get this pencil, you will never use a normal mechanical pencil ever again.

The pencil I'm using is called a drafting pencil, specifically Pentel Graphgear 500. There's tons of drafting pencil in the market but just look at this one because other's are expensive and you will cry. This pencil had a plastic body but the base is made of metal so its pretty heavy. It feels v e r y c o m f o r t a b l e on the hand, like the moment you hold it, you will believe that this is how mechanical pencil suppose to be. It just fits so perfectly with the contour of you finger. The weight feels so nice on your hands and the grip is very comfortable. The pencil sleeve also doesnt budge so you don't and won't have any issue of lead breakage (unless you press your pencil really hard)

It's also very long-lasting. I have 2 of them in my pencil case. The one on the left were bought in 2021 from Muji. The one on the right were bought in 2015. It still works fine despite being 8 years old. I don't think I ever have any mechanical pencil that is long lasting like this one. This is legit one of the product that I would say would last a lifetime if you take care of it well.

This ends my sleepy deprivation fueled post for today.

TL;DR: Please go buy kneaded eraser and a drafting pencil I am on my knees rn-

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

Lestat looked around and spotted a chair. He was able to sit no problem, but doing so exposed his entire backside as the material slid below his cheeks. ‘Better access for you!’ he announced cheerfully, not bothered in the least.

Jil turned her attention away from laughing at Lestat to smile at Hannibal. ‘Yes, Alpha. Of course.’ She immediately undid her skirt and slipped out of it to try on the new one.

It was tiny. It barely covered her in the front and the bottom of her cheeks was exposed. ‘What do you think, Alpha?’ She did a very slow and deliberate turn.

In Throes of Increasing Wonder

‘Are you ready for our big night out?’ Jil winked and nudged her companion Lestat, a fellow omega and her ‘partner in crime.’

‘Of course, mon amie.’ He was grinning as he looked her up and down, comparing outfits. Tonight, their Alphas were taking them to an Alpha restaurant where they would be expected to be shown off and even perform sex acts for their Alphas in front of everyone. Louis, Lestat’s Alpha, owned it.

Lestat was wearing very little - a gold lame posing pouch that left very little to the imagination. His hair had been brushed and styled until it shone, sticking out around his head in a fluffy halo. For the occasion, his Alpha had allowed him to wear some black eyeliner.

Jilomena was wearing even less. Her ‘outfit’ comprised of thin gold chains wrapped around her body that covered nothing but rather enhanced her form. Her hair was curled and she was made up to the hilt.

Both omega were beautiful, like male and female angels. They could have passed for brother and sister.

They were excited to go in. Lestat offered Louis the end of his leash. Not to be outdone, Jil dropped to her knees in front of her Alpha, Hannibal, offering it up to him on outstretched palms.

Round one to me. She winked at Lestat.

@doctorwillseeyou

[ask-flip-frost]

~Preening~

((Trimmed from here))

@dork-in-a-trenchcoat

There was hardly room for argument within the Angel’s mind. He was firmly set against the idea of being anyone’s guinea pig for DIY preening examples, especially if it meant laying his trust in-

He paused, looking down at the red ribbon now resting in his fingers. That was… unexpected. Castiel knew enough on the lore of Fae to know that a binding from capturing a Fairy’s wing, or wings, did put a stopper to their Magics, though he wasn’t sure whether or not it applied if given willingly. As far as he knew, this was a play of faith. Faith that she would not harm him if he, in turn, gave the same courtesy.

Well. It seemed a small repentance, but small was better than nothing. And his wings did need assistance in maintenance while he remained cut off from the Heavenly refreshing fountains. Additionally, it would aid the Metatron.

“Fine,” he huffed. “Don’t make me regret this.”

For the purposes of the example, he allowed his large black wings to materialize within the plane of Human observation. Even in their slightly disheveled state, they were quite magnificent to behold.

---------------------------

@missfesterworth

‘Pfft!’ Jil made a noise of derision that she quickly tried to disguise with a cough when Flip pretended to be offended and put upon. She KNEW what her friend was saying was true, though. She’d spent enough time around the Fairy, and now her beloved, to learn that their wings were a point of pride to them, and something that they didn’t take lightly. AT ALL.

She did blink in reaction when Flip shot up to human size. She’d seen her do it before, of course, but it was still a slight shock to the senses to see a fully grown human woman in the space occupied by a tiny purple pest…FAIRY!…not five seconds previous. She was the only one who appeared at all startled by the transformation. Neither Angel batted an eyelid.

She looked from one to the other of them as Flip tied the ribbon to her wing and presented it to Cas. That…that WAS new, and unexpected. Met raised his eyebrows as well as he watched the exchange, which she noticed. She wasn’t entirely sure of all the subtleties, but it seemed to be a very big deal indeed, between them. A sure sign of trust.

She grinned from ear to ear when Cas gave his consent to let Flip preen him. ‘Yay! Thank you so much, Cas! You won’t regret it! Flip will behave. Won’t she?’ A sideways glance at the Fairy. 'Right! Let’s get started!’

She walked behind the Metatron and put her hands on his shoulders, giving him a gentle squeeze of affection. 'How do we get started?’

-----------------------------------

Flip gave Jilomena a playful swat at the disbelief, but grinned to show that she wasn’t properly annoyed. She played it off that she was entirely confident in the situation, of course, but if it turned out that Castiel was the vindictive sort, she stood to be put through a great deal of discomfort. Growing a wing back if it got ripped in any way was a lengthy and painful process. No Magics could aid in the relief, really. She was hoping that he would play nice, being that Angels and Faith were supposed to go together.

“Yeah, yeah.” Flip scoffed, coming to stand behind the trench-coated fellow, gently angling his shoulders to turn so Jil could see better. “Ho~KAY. To start with, I want to show you what to avoid. Now, some of this might be off, considering I’m going by what feathered Fae have told me, but the anatomy is the same, so I’d assume it’s along those lines.”

She gingerly laced her fingers into the dark feathers to guide them aside. Below the surface were several dark tube-like nubs. She did not directly touch these, but merely indicated them.

“These are called blood feathers. This is where some of the last of the new feathers are growing in. That darkness you see is actually blood within the shaft of the quill, because they’re still attached to the blood vessels directly as they grow. Try not to hit those. They’ll hurt.” she began, shifting around a little, eyes flashing, as if looking beneath the skin’s surface. “These grey tubes with feathers already sticking out part-way are called pinfeathers. These light membranes around the shaft protect the barb while it grows out, but when it’s greyish and flaky, it can be removed. This is what causes itching. So gently thread your fingers through it or rub it a bit. It’ll just flake away or dissolve. If there are any feathers just barely hanging on, you can brush over them, or give that area a scratch and help them out, but don’t pull. Follow so far?”

The Fairy kept looking over to see how Jil was getting on, but worked continuously as she instructed. To make it a little easier, at one point she leaned over and touched a finger to the woman’s temple. Temporarily she was granting her Fairy Sight, showing swells of color to indicate feelings, both physical and emotional.

“If you see a sickly looking yellow glow, it itches there. Bubbling black ink-like spot is sharp pain which shouldn’t be touched, dull black tar-like is ache that can probably be massaged away. Throbbing red would show erogenous zones, so ah... let’s keep it PG if there are any you happen to spot, ne? Maybe he has none there, but as a heads up. Pinks are the tickly bits, so probably use slow, firm movements unless you want a wing swat. They’re quite muscle-bound, so I don’t suggest it, hmhm~” she chuckled quietly, giving the Angel a small scratch to an itchy patch to shake loose a few of the pesky membranes. “Feeling any better, boys?”

[titoslondon-blog]

New Post has been published on Titos London

#Blog New Post has been published on http://www.titoslondon.co.uk/what-kareena-kapoor-khan-and-sonam-kapoor-ahuja-wore-on-21052018/

What Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja wore on 21/05/2018

Image: Viral Bhayani

For Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja, the rest of May is going to be exceptionally busy. Both actors joined Shikha Talsania and Swara Bhasker at Veere Di Wedding promotions last afternoon, while Diana Penty spread the word about her latest film Parmanu in camouflage trousers, and Aditi Rao Hydari made a case for printed pants at an event in Hyderabad. Among the few Bollywood ladies who went with Indian ethnic looks yesterday, Sonali Bendre stood out for choosing that yellow, green and blue Payal Khandwala sari, while Madhuri Dixit Nene went down the subtler route with a black version by Jade.

Kareena Kapoor Khan wears a colour you’re rarely seen her in before

From bright sunny yellows to rich navy blues, Kareena Kapoor Khan has been showcasing a preference to strong colours this summer. Yesterday, the actor added yet another interesting hue to her repertoire at Veere Di Wedding’s latest promotions.

Spotted at Mumbai’s Sun-N-Sand hotel, Kapoor Khan met the media last afternoon in a chocolate brown midi that was anything but basic. Created by African label Meena, the midi dress featured peek-a-boo panels on both sleeves, an unexpected cut on the waistline and layers of cascading fabric sewn onto the skirt. With all that going on in just one dress, Kapoor Khan kept the rest of her look fuss-free with strappy gold sandals and avoided any makeup.

1/1

Dress, Proenza SchoulerRs 86,900 Buy Now

Gold strappy sandals, CasadeiRs 43,400 Buy Now

Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja gets comfortable in oversized separates

Post her Veere Di Wedding outing of the day, newly-wed Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja joined husband Anand Ahuja for a dinner date last night in Mumbai. And if you’ve been looking for a white shirt that’s comfortable enough to wear in the Mumbai heat, you can’t miss her latest pick.

For her night out, Kapoor-Ahuja picked an oversized version of the wardrobe classic, and wore her roomy shirt with tracks that were hiked up to her shins, showing off her bridal mehandi. The actor completed her off-duty look with black slip-ons and a matching black tote. Poker straight locks were her beauty pick.

1/1

Oversized white shirt, Jil SanderRs 1,15,000 Buy Now

Trousers, Haider AckermannRs 28,200 Buy Now

Swara Bhasker also picks a solid hue

Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja wasn’t the only star to favour ivory yesterday. While Disha Patani grabbed dinner in tiny white shorts last night, Shilpa Shetty Kundra brought in son Viaan Raj Kundra’s birthday in a white mini, and Swara Bhasker chose an outfit in the classic colour for Veere Di Wedding promotions as well.

Keeping her look simple, yet impactful, Bhasker picked an Andrea Iyamah dress featuring sculpted ruffles along the hemline, and worked the timeless black and white combo by picking ebony Miu Miu mules. The shoes featured metallic blooms on top, which added a touch of drama to her look.

1/1

Dress, MCQ by Alexander McQueenRs 26,600 Buy Now

Mules, Paciotti by MidnightRs 65,000 Buy Now

Missed what Diana Penty, Malaika Arora and Sonali Bendre wore yesterday? Catch up now.

1/12 Aditi Rao Hydari in Zara in Hyderabad

Image: Instagram.com/style.cell

Diana Penty in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

Disha Patani in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

Kareena Kapoor Khan in Meena and Aquazzura at Veere Di Wedding promotions in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

Madhuri Dixit Nene in Jade

Image: Instagram.com

Malaika Arora at Mumbai airport

Image: Viral Bhayani

Shikha Talsania in The Label Life and Eurumme at Veere Di Wedding promotions in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

Shilpa Shetty Kundra in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

Sonali Bendre in Payal KhandwalaSonam Kapoor-Ahuja in Erdem and Manolo Blahnik at Veere Di Wedding promotions in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

Anand Ahuja and Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

Swara Bhasker in Andrea Iyamah and Miu Miu at Veere Di Wedding promotions in Mumbai

Image: Viral Bhayani

The post What Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja wore on 21/05/2018 appeared first on VOGUE India.

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

‘Of course. Just like we’re going to do everything. Together.’ She smiled at him as she placed the knife on the spot where Nonna told her.

His hand covered her small one, and they pressed down together. Everyone clapped and cheered as they cut a slice of the rich sponge. Fruitcake with marzipan might have been more traditional, but Nonna’s thoughts were with the baby, and potential allergies.

Jil picked up the slice and broke off a sliver. She playfully smeared a tiny bit of the icing on Hannibal’s nose before feeding it to him. She then kissed the icing away, laughing softly.

The Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

Barney waited to take the new nursing staff through the hospital and explain their new roles. “Welcome to the BSHCI. Every patient here is dangerously mentally I’ll you must at all times remember that.” He sighed, “one patient here is particularly dangerous: Hannibal Lecter. He will try to manipulate you if you let your guard down”

[breakfromwork]

September 22nd-29th, Colorado & Grand Canyon

I left with Gae’s brother, Kipp, to join their three brothers for a hike down the Grand Canyon on the 22nd. Gae stayed home, hanging with her best bud, Jil, for most of the week. After gathering at the airport, we visited the Hoover Dam, where Roy, Kipp and Kirk took in the tour while Zane and I wandered above ground and checked out the sites.

Here’s the 4 brothers in front of Lake Mead on the top of the Dam.

These winged statues flank a dedication to the builders of the Dam... that’s Kirk catching a nice photo of Roy with one of the flyers.

This bronze of one of the workmen roped to a rock face, where he’s operating a drill to dynamite a profile in preparation for a structure, was very cool.

The view down the dam shows where we’ll start a 12 mile kayak tour later in the week. 

We checked out a casino we heard of from a couple very happy guys, we met in the elevator, Ellis Island, where excellent 20 ounce micro brews could be had for $2... they were actually only $1.50:-) We were very happy too!

We made the drive to the Grand Canyon on the 23rd, stopping only for an In And Out Burger, for lunch.

One of the pictures on the visitor center wall’s sort of cracked up Kipp and I... hopefully the ranger was eloquent in describing the amazing views to the visitors.

And the views were awesome.

We prepared and relaxed over a couple beers in the evening at Yavapai (sounds like “ya have a pie”) Lodge, up early for breakfast and our hike down the South Kaibab trail on the 24th. 

Here we are at the trailhead, fresh as daisies.

The switchback trails drop quickly, where we must have stopped every 15 minutes for a picture.

Another friendly hiker took our picture at one of the first labeled viewpoints... not even sweating!

The trail was gorgeous and beautifully maintained.

A little further down, and just starting to get warm.

I hung back a little to get a little better scale of people, trail and canyon.

Splashes of bright color showed up with occasional flowers and wildlife.

A few narrow chutes gave a feel for much of the trail, affording views in every direction as you walked.

I was thankful the trail was as wide as it was, keeping those butterfly stomachs to a minimum.

Lizards ran the walls all along the trail... I only spied one with a red head.

One of the bathroom stops had a number of these plump, 5 inch, caterpillars crawling on the ground, occasionally losing their footing and rolling over a couple times.

We’re finally entering the lower canyon and nearing the Colorado River.

A couple miles and a few hundred feet more and we’ve made the campsite. 

These tiny 2 inch cactus cling to the rock faces just off the river.

We checked out the Canteen at the bottom, where we chatted with other hikers and thoroughly enjoy some cold beer... yes sore, but very happy:-)

I took a quick soak in Bright Angel Creek, which felt divine after the 5 hour hike, and 5 beers!

Kirk supplied some excellent freeze dried dinners before most of us laid down for the night. Kipp and Zane had one more go at the Canteen before sleeping.

After a hearty breakfast at the Canteen on the 25th, we hit the Bright Angel Trail back to the top... here’s the brothers on the Silver bridge over the Colorado.

This view includes both the Silver and Black bridges we crossed, arriving over the Black, leaving via the Silver.

Kipp spotted a mushroom, completely dried, still standing where it sprouted from the rock.

Nothing but spectacular views all the way up the ravines the trail follows.

One of the water stops had this warning poster, which I had to include for Gae (she loves squirrels).

I yelled ECHO a number of times to look for the effect, I started giving warning after Kipp jumped particularly high at one of them.

We’re reaching some altitude finally, here we’re looking back at the Bright Angel Creek Canyon, where we’d spent the night.

We enjoyed some snacks at one of the water stops, where Zane enjoyed a small visitor a foot away.

Almost done, calves a-burnin.

The conquering hiker’s after a 10 mile, 4500 foot hike.

We enjoyed some excellent pizza at the Maswik Lodge, where we stayed that evening.

We all rose early to get to Yaki point for the sunrise on the 26th. A few other people beat us there to get the prime spots.

The lighting was wonderful and changed by the minute.

Here’s Kipp, Kirk, Zane and Roy shortly before we left to make our way back to Las Vegas.

Since we were passing by the dam, we stopped to enjoy the memorial bridge views.

Dam, Klupacs.

We rose early on the 27th to get to the bottom of the Dam for our kayak trip.

Dam bridge, Klupacs in kayaks.

We stopped at a test hole that freed a hot springs just down river, where Kipp carefully avoided getting the outflow in his nose, which hosted some kind of deadly amoebas(the outflow, not his nose). Seriously.

We hiked up a short canyon with tall walls to check it out.

I spied a dragon fly.

The brothers couldn’t resist a quick dip in a 90 degree water fall.

Roy liked it so much he found a personal one to soak in.

Cactus clinging to the walls lit up in the sun.

Here’s Roy enjoying his favorite position on the river, in tow, curtesy of Kipp.

We hiked in to Arizona hot springs, where the walk up the outflow got warmer and warmer.

The last pools are reached by a rusty ladder, with the very last so hot I couldn’t stand in it more than a few seconds.

A number of lagoons provide escape from the river.

We spotted some Mountain Sheep a few miles from our take out.

We were all pretty beat from 5 hours in the kayaks, so we enjoyed a steak dinner and good beer at Ellis Island. We relaxed on the 28th, where Kipp and I enjoyed the pool while Roy, Zane and Kirk walked the strip. Early beer at the pool had me napping for several hours before we headed out for dinner and comedy with Carrot Top in the evening. Carrot Top was hilarious, and dinner at the Camelot was first class. Kipp, Zane and I continued the evening out after dropping Roy and Kirk at the hotel. Back at Ellis Island we drank, played blackjack and finished in the black at 3:30am. We all flew out on the 29th for home. Kipp is a rock star planner in my book... what a trip! 

Gae, Jil and Luna watched the Kavenaugh hearings from beginning to end. Which sounded boring to me, until I caught a bit of it from the news. Wow, what an entitled, blatantly partisan, A with a capital HOLE. 

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

An Unexpected Visitor

The first images that passed through his mind as he drifted were hardly surprising.

A tangle of sheets and limbs. The face of his lover in ecstasy: the way her mouth opened in a perfect ‘o,’ the flutter of her eyelids. The feel of her silky skin against his, her curves against his hard angles.

Deeper, now.

As was often the case, he found himself in the Norman Chapel in Palermo. A place as familiar to him as the proverbial back of his hand. And as much a part of him as his hand, it comprising one of the areas of his mind that he referred to as his Memory Palace.

The space felt as comfortable as his own drawing room. Unhurried, he let his gaze fall over the art that lined the walls. Every saint depicted, every gilded detail was as clear as gazing at his own reflection would appear, and in some cases perhaps more detailed.

He couldn’t quite relax and enjoy himself tonight. Normally, strolling through the chapel of his mind was as good...no, better, than meditation. It helped him to compose himself, clear the detritus from his thoughts.

Increasingly, he had the sensation that he wasn’t alone. Someone, or something, was in here with him.

Slowly, he gave himself three dimensions in his head, manifesting where the famous skull mosaic resided. It was as if he was looking at a picture of himself in his head, dressed in one of his favourite suits.

‘Hello, Fae Creature.’ He spoke aloud calmly.

********************************************************

Flip pressed her tiny hand to the man’s temple in quiet concentration. Her bestie, her sister from another mister, had gotten herself involved with a new fella.

Flip had known Jilomena through seemingly all of time. Sometimes Jilomena was aware of their connection and friendship, and sometimes not. It was no matter. Flip was bound to protect her friend no matter the circumstances.

Ordinarily, Flip wouldn’t meddle in one of Jil’s relationships. Jil was a grown woman, and more than capable of making her own mind up about things.

But this man...this man was...different. He had WAY too much of a penchant for murdery, unspeakable things for Flip’s liking. If Jil was ever hurt, or worse...well. It upset Flip to even dwell on such a thing.

Best to have a little look for herself. Just to be certain. Connection established, she followed along the path of his dreamscape, watching.

Being called out suddenly nearly made her drop the connection.

It wasn’t completely unheard of for someone to be aware that she had infiltrated their dream, but it wasn’t exactly a common occurrence, either.

In for a penny, in for a pound. There was no question of stopping what she was doing and fading away. Flip was a Nightmare Hunter, after all. And what was this man if not a nightmare dressed as a daydream?

In she went, manifesting herself in the same spot over the skull mosaic, hovering perhaps some three feet away at eye level. There was no point in being coy and appearing in one of her human forms. Besides, it was unwise to go into battle without one’s armour. Her diamond-hard composition was better than anything man could create or money could buy. Best to err on the side of caution.

‘Doctor Lecter.’ She was equally calm.

‘A fairy. I was correct.’ He sounded delighted. ‘After all, no mere mortal could have accomplished this. Please. Call me Hannibal. I feel we should be on a first name basis, since you have invaded my dream, after all.’ He chuckled, amused. ‘May I have your name?’

‘You can call me Flip.’ The man thought he was being clever, did he? Such disrespect was normally incredibly dangerous. She chose not to rise to the bait. There was a growing image in the back of her mind, one of her limbs and wings pinned to a specimen board while she was very much alive. It should be an impossible task for him to do such a thing, yet it was best to proceed with caution. There was something Other about this one.

‘Flip.’ Lecter gave her a slight mock bow. ‘And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, hmm?’

‘Jilomena.’ She got straight to the point. ‘She has been my friend, part of my life, for eons. I will always protect her from evil, when it is necessary.’ Short and sincere. There was no point in overstating things. Flip could see that there was something about the man that would compel people to keep talking, even admit to things they didn’t intend to reveal. She herself, however, was immune to his influence.

‘You wish to protect Jilomena. I see. You think I am evil? Perhaps you think I have this in mind for her? To toy with her, maybe even fatten her up like a pig for the slaughter?’ He looked to the left.

Jilomena had been nailed to a cross. The skin of her back had been flayed and peeled, attached to the wood in a gross parody of angel’s wings. Her face was at peace, yet her there was a yawning cavity where her chest and abdomen should have been. It was clear her organs had all been removed.

‘No.’ He spoke before Flip could even react. The gruesome image was replaced instantly.

Jilomena was now bound to a St Andrews cross, spread eagled and clad in a sparkling set of lingerie. Her face had the same peaceful expression as before, however there was perhaps a knowing upturn to the corners of her mouth. A beautiful pair of feathered wings sprouted from her back. She looked the envy of any supermodel.

‘Is it not better to be Blackbeard’s last wife?’ He turned his head back to centre, looking straight into Flip’s eyes. His own appeared to be twin pools of blackness. ‘I believe I have found a soulmate in Jilomena. She is the light in my darkness.’

Flip grinned even though there was no amusement in it, showing rows of impossibly pointy and dangerously sharp looking teeth. She opened her mouth to speak, her dual voice steely hard and almost frightening. ‘If you ever hurt her. If you so much as harm one hair on her head, I will eat your heart....’

‘...In the marketplace?’ Lecter interrupted, sounding amused. ‘I will not hurt her, except in the way that she needs me to hurt her.’

There was no need to elaborate. Flip knew Jilomena well enough after all this time to understand what he meant.

‘No. Jilomena will never be harmed by my hand,’ Lecter continued. ‘I promise. And I always keep my promises.’

Flip dearly wanted to erase the smug smile from his face, but she managed to restrain herself. On the point where her friend was concerned, his heart signature seemed sincere enough. As far as she could tell.

‘So long as we understand one another.’ She hovered closer to him, not particularly wanting to be that near, but he needed to see. Needed to see in her eyes the unspeakable tortures that she would subject him to if he ever were to break with his vow.

‘We do.’ Even this seeming glimpse of Hell seemed not to have rattled him.

‘I will be watching.’ She gave him one last hard look.

With that, Flip broke the connection. A kiss to her sleeping friend’s cheek, and then she disappeared into the night.

@ask-flip-frost

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

Day Fifteen: Nightmare

Jilomena’s hands twisted over themselves again and again with worry and fear.

The dark halls of the manor seemed to be drawing in, looming over her shoulders as she walked down endless corridor after endless corridor. Just when it felt like they were touching her sides and she couldn’t breathe, they would part again, just enough that she thought she might be imagining things. Until they began to pull closer once more. The patterns in the dark rug seemed to twist and slide, slithering sinuously like snakes underfoot. It made her dizzy to look down, so she tried to keep her focus on what lie ahead.

‘Severus?’ Her voice seemed to echo back on itself, the repeating tones sounding full of sly mockery. Severus? Severus who? Severus, Severus, who’s got the Severus? Not us.

A lightning bolt struck outside the window, temporarily throwing everything into stark black and white relief. It looked in that flash of illumination like there was a body hanging from the dead tree outside, and her heart leapt into her throat. Then it cleared, and she could just about make out in the shadows that there was nothing there.

Nothing there, nothing there.

She closed her eyes tight, counting to five before opening them again in the hopes that things would improve.

Things did not improve. Now the hallway was lined with sheet-covered figures, one lying flat here, one propped up in the corner there. And one sitting leaning against the wall as if it were waiting for something.

She wanted to scream, wanted to cry. But Severus was missing, and she was the only one who could find him. Once she found him, everything would be okay again.

‘Foolish girl.’ The painting to her right sneered as she approached the nearest sheet, a trembling hand reaching out to uncover the face. The visage in the portrait temporarily turned into a flaming Jack-o-Lantern, before reverting to its former self. Which wasn’t actually much of an improvement. ‘Death is an eternal sleep…death is an eternal sleep….’

Her greatest fear. Even though every fibre of her being was screaming at her not to, not to pull back the sheet and reveal the unmoving and unbreathing form of her beloved, she had to. HAD to. In case there was anything she could do to save him, save them, from a lifetime of living without one another.

Her hands grasped the sheet, cold and strangely slimy under her fingers, and tugged.

‘Hallo!’ A tiny purple fairy popped up from the spot where a corpse had appeared to be lying.  

Jilomena staggered back in shock. She was used to fairies, but ones that normally had sharp teeth and were fond of biting, only slightly more evolved than their close cousin, the Doxy. She couldn’t recall one ever willingly addressing a witch or wizard before, not when they usually preferred to let their teeth do the greeting into tender flesh. She blinked, confused.

‘Sorry to break up the party.’ The Fairy flew over to where Jilomena had landed on the floor, brushing off bits of sparkling purple fairy dust that had come loose from when she was underneath the sheet. ‘But it seemed like you’d had enough.’

‘What…who…’ Jil couldn’t quite manage to form a sentence as she followed the fluttering circle of light.

‘Ah. You don’t know me, not in this time and place, ne. Not yet, though we’re besties in other times and places. Sisters from another mister. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Flip.’ She did a sort of bow in mid-air.

Jil stared at her blankly.

‘I’m a Nightmare Hunter. I get rid of Nightmares, so they don’t give you bad dreams. And it looks like I walked into a doozy.’ Flip gave a tinkling laugh, like the sound of bells.

‘Oh.’ That was about all Jil could manage. Then, ‘Thank you. Flip.’

‘Only doing my job, ne.’ Flip gave a tiny mock salute. ‘Everything should be okay now. Look.’ She indicated the nearby window. The sun was just beginning to rise. And Jil could see Severus, setting up a morning picnic breakfast outside by the dead tree. He blew her a kiss.

‘Thank you.’ Jil’s voice was steadier this time. ‘Sincerely.’

‘I’ll be back again, sometime, no doubt. Maybe I’ll pop up and say hallo when you're awake.’ Flip fluttered close to give Jil a kiss on the cheek.

‘Wait! What did you mean, other times and places?’ But Flip was gone, and the hallways were dissolving fast. Jil only caught the merest glimpse of herself with a man that looked like an older version of Severus, and one that looked like Severus, but with wings, herself with countless versions of Severus, before everything collapsed into itself.

‘Dearest Heart? Are you okay?’ Her husband’s voice in her ear, thick with sleep. He pulled her close to his chest.

‘I had a nightmare. But I’m okay, now.’ She rested her head on his chest, hearing his strong and reassuring heartbeat under his ear.

As she drifted off again, she thought she heard the sound of tinkling laughter.

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

‘Uh huh,’ Jil trilled happily, smiling up at Cas. She knew him, alright. And now that she knew what to do, she could hardly wait for him to arrive. It seemed like it had been a lifetime since she’d seen him last, although in reality it had been less than twenty four hours.

‘Wow! Snakes live near here?’ She turned her attention back to Flip again, interested in this bit of information. ‘Can we go and see them maybe? I’d love to have a snake as a pet. We could talk. Maybe someday.’

She sat back on her heels and waited patiently for it to be her turn again, watching the adults expectantly to make sure they were playing the game correctly. She frowned at Flip’s expression. ‘Are you okay, Flip? You look like you’ve got something in your mouth. And Cas-eel looks like he has a headache, or maybe a tummy ache.’ She shook her head with sorrow. Poor Cas-eel!

Her expression soon turned to one of horror at Flip’s words. ‘No! No spanking! I’ve been VERY good! You’ll tell him I’ve been good, won’t you? Haven’t I, Cas? You’ll tell him I’ve been good, right?’ She turned her innocent, wide-eyed expression on the hapless angel at the moment Flip buried her face against him.

Just then, the Metatron appeared in the doorway. His jaw hung slack for a second as he took in the scene before him: a tiny version of his beloved on the floor seemingly in child form, a board game currently in progress that appeared to be one geared for children called Candyland, Flip with her face buried in Castiel’s shoulder while she apparently had hysterics, and Castiel was wearing a face that suggested he’d eaten something that didn’t agree with him. ‘What in the ever loving hell...?!’

‘DADDY!’ Jil spotted him instantly and went on the run, throwing herself into his arms.

If the Metatron was taken aback by this term of address, he didn’t show it. ‘Hello, kitten.’ He scooped her up into his arms and held her close, pressing kisses to her forehead and her nose.

‘I missed you.’ She buried her face against his neck, content that she was in his arms again.

‘I missed you too.’ He patted her back comfortingly while he stared down the other two in the room. ‘Would someone care to kindly explain?’

~Toddler Troubles~

((Trimmed from here))

@ask-flip-frost

“If you tell me you didn’t do it, that’s good enough for me.“ Flip shrugged, glancing over her shoulder when she stood to pull down a box from a high shelf. “Even if you did, I’m no snitch, so don’t worry too much, alright?”

If Flip had been in her natural state, she could easily have shape-shifted to match Metatron’s appearance so that Jil could see who they were talking about. As it was, she could do no such thing. She rifled through the box for a moment until she found a Candyland board game, which was spread out on the floor to play as a distraction from any overly serious feelings.

“Here. Let me see if I have a picture on my phone.” she mumbled after everything was set. “Does this look like someone you know?”

“If so, while we’re playing, I want you to close your eyes and think on him. Ask him in your mind to come here. It’s okay.”

——————————–

@mrs-actor-agent-of-change

The first time that Castiel uttered the name ��Metatron,’ in passing the little girl’s eyes immediately widened and she tilted her head to the side, as if staring at something particularly fascinating she was trying to puzzle out.

‘Yes!’ Her face lit up, all smiles when Castiel asked her directly as she clapped her little hands together with glee. ‘Metta-tron! He’s my Daddy!’ The word was said with complete childlike innocence.

For that was the closest term and closest relationship that her current childlike state could attribute to the bond between her and the Metatron. She was currently far too young to understand any close relationships beyond Mummies and Daddies and brothers and sisters. And of course, friends.

Pray? Praying would bring him to her? She was all for that. She immediately jumped down on the floor to kneel like she’d seen in cartoons on the telly. Lettie and Rook weren’t particularly religious, but memory and instinct kicked in to tell the small girl what she should do.

She looked up at Flip as the woman rooted round on the shelf, giggling a little. ‘Okay! I won’t!’ It seemed naughty to have a secret, but she liked Flip and if Flip said she wouldn’t snitch, Jil believed her.

‘Ooh!’ The girl’s eyes were shining with excitement as she looked at the game with the bright colours, her prayers temporarily forgotten. ‘I don’t know this one! It looks like fun though! Sometimes we play Snakes and Ladders. One time Rook transfigured the game snakes into real ones. He thought it might scare me and be funny. But it was okay. I like snakes. They tell me things.’ All of this was said as if it were no more remarkable than the pattern of the wallpaper.

Jil looked up from the piece she’d been turning over in her little hands when Flip held her phone up for the girl to look at. The same happy, beaming smile was soon back on her face. ‘Yes! That’s him! Daddy!’

After she placed her piece on the board and started the game, she closed her eyes to do as she was asked, asking the Metatron to come to her.

—————————————–

Castiel was slightly taken aback by the girl calling Metatron her daddy, as Jilomena was his bonded lover.

Wait.

No. He knew this one from past conversations of misunderstood innuendos. His eyes widened and he raised his eyes to the ceiling as if gathering strength to respond. Though she meant it innocently, the connection was not lost on him that it was an echo of one of a very different part of their relationship.

“Uh.” he swallowed and crossed his arms, looking to Flip for aid in how to continue with his mind spinning its wheels. “Right. I am glad to know that you recognize him.”

It was very awkward to witness a prayer meant for someone else, and it felt rather like being too near to a telephone conversation that wasn’t supposed to be overheard. It couldn’t be helped, though. Metatron would become aware of it instantly, they could be sure of that. At least the other Angel would see that Jilomena was being looked after.

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

A Little Reminder

‘It’s certainly quiet today.’ Jilomena mused aloud to her assistant, fingertips idly drumming on the counter-top. ‘It is indeed quiet.’ Hans looked over at her from where he’d been sorting out the bottles of liquid ingredients. That gave him an idea. He quietly sidled over to where she was standing, years of thieving resulting in a panther-like movement that was now the habit of a lifetime. ‘Come into the back room with me,’ he breathed into her ear once he was directly behind her. ‘I think that you are overdue a reminder who you belong to.’ She shivered, dropping her head as her body naturally responded to the tone of his voice and the feeling of his breath on her ear. Instant submission mode, as natural to her as breathing. ‘But Hans- Sir,’ she hastily amended, just in time. ‘What if there are customers?’ He leant in even closer. ‘I wasn’t asking.’ Oh. Her body was overcome with another compulsive shiver. With that, he stepped away and walked into the back storage room, confident that she would follow. Follow she did, though she hesitated in the doorway. ‘Mein Herr...’ He pulled a simple wooden chair into the middle of the room and sat down on it. ‘That’s an additional ten for hesitating when I have given you a command, and another ten for attempting to talk yourself out of this.’ Oh Merlin. Thirty swats already. It was best to comply and get it over with before he decided to add any more. She crossed over to him without a further word, pulling up her skirt as she settled herself over his knees. ‘Was ist dast?’ He pulled at the tiny black lace thong she’d chosen to wear that morning, hoping to surprise him. It seemed like he certainly was surprised. ‘This is the undergarment of a wayward little Schlampe,’ he continued. Never mind the fact that it had been him who had purchased it for her. ‘It would seem that I have not been strict enough with you lately. That you definitely need this reminder of who it is that you belong to. And that you need me to take a firm hand with you, so that you do not fall into the hands of any man that happens to come along.’ ���Nein, Mein Herr!’ she objected. ‘I belong to you! And only you!’

Had he heard her? Difficult to say. She craned her neck to look at him over her shoulder, but his face was unreadable as he hooked his fingers under the scrap of lace and tugged it down, somehow leaving her bottom even more exposed and vulnerable by its absence.

She supposed that was because he never allowed her to keep any manner of undergarment on while chastising her. She was already in the undignified position of being face down over his knee, as if she were an unruly child about to receive some well deserved discipline. The message was clear - the removal of any underwear signalled to her that she was his property, that she wasn’t even allowed a tiny bit of fabric to protect her modesty. Her body was his to do with as he pleased. And it pleased him at the moment to give her bottom a good seeing-to. With that, he raised his hand and brought it down sharply. A small gasp escaped her as she rocked against his thigh. Being spanked by him was an experience like no other. It did hurt, oh Merlin how it hurt, he would often leave her bottom throbbing and seemingly on fire, but she couldn’t have denied how much it aroused her if she’d wanted to. The wetness between her legs would always attest to that. She lived for his strictness, lived for listening to him lecture and admonish her as he rained down slaps against her tender anatomy. Sometimes the lecture would be punctuated by slaps for emphasis, and sometimes he would stop the action and chastise her verbally while his heavy hand rested against her reddened skin, while she squirmed and pleaded. For him to stop? For more? She was never certain herself, in those moments. Sometimes he spanked her just for enjoyment. His, and of course, hers. She enjoyed those sessions, but deep down they didn’t have quite the same appeal to her. No. She lived to please him, of course she did, but there was something about the times he was sternest with her that she craved. Suddenly, she realised in her reverie that he’d paused. The steady rhythm of him striking her skin combined with the flow of her thoughts had caused her attention to slip from the matter at hand. At his hand, no pun intended. ‘What have you forgotten?’ Oh, Merlin. ‘Thank you, Mein Herr,’ she managed to squeak out.

His reply was to smack her bottom sharply. ‘Not quite. “Thank you, Mein Herr, for giving me this spanking”,’ he corrected.

 She swallowed hard. ‘Thank you, Mein Herr, for giving me this spanking,’ she corrected. Insult to injury, being made to thank him for reddening her behind.

 ‘It would seem that I am not making enough of an impression on you.’ His hand had been resting heavily on her tender flesh as he spoke, but it was suddenly withdrawn. She noticed that it had been replaced by something that felt cool to the touch and oval in shape. Ah. Even though she couldn’t see it, she knew by the feel that it was no doubt one of her heavy wooden spoons, of the sort used to stir her cauldrons when she was brewing.

 Merlin. When had he managed to pick that up without her seeing?! He may not be a Wizard or have wizarding blood, but he had more slight of hand tricks than a conjurer.

 ‘Perhaps this will help,’ he continued, tapping it lightly against the area where it was resting. She couldn’t help but flinch slightly in reaction. ‘Your remaining twenty to be administered with this. Plus an additional ten for not remembering your manners.’

 Wait. Thirty?! Surely he’d given her more than ten already while she’d been floating along with her thoughts, hypnotised by his steady rhythm? But of course. He always believed in doing things evenly, so ten strokes meant ten per side.

 ‘Thank you, Mein Herr,’ she murmured automatically.

 ‘Braves Madchen.’ He raised his arm.

 Swish - crack!

The spoon reached its intended target, landing squarely in the middle of one of her sit spots. Unable to help herself, she let out a small cry of reaction. Even though he wasn’t hitting her with force, the heavy implement still hurt more than being spanked with his hand had done. Why oh why had she let her attention lapse, she chided herself, bottom now becoming ablaze.

 Gasps and cries were the counterpoint to the steady sound of the wood making contact with flesh.

 ‘Thank you, Mein Herr, for giving me this spanking.’ This time, she was prompt to reply when he paused after the first set of ten.

 ‘Good girl.’ His arm was drawn back yet again.

 Her moans and exclamations grew louder, in direct proportion to the deepening of the redness of her skin. He never changed intensity, but the flesh was becoming more and more sensitive as the spoon made repeated contact. She tried to keep still, lest he begin from the beginning, but it was a natural reaction to kick slightly. Too much and she would be pinned between his legs, and that would mean she wouldn’t be able to sit comfortably for several days. Jil also knew better than to try to put her hand back to divert the blows. He would only pin her arm down and carry on, and again it would be to her detriment.

 A pause. She could catch her breath. ‘Thank you, Mein Herr, for giving me this spanking.’

 ‘Braves Madchen.’ And he began to spank her once more.

 Unable to control her reactions as the onslaught continued, she writhed and squirmed, kicked and cried out. It was painful, and yet the fire in her loins was beginning to burn as warm as the fire in her bottom. The involuntary rubbing against his leg as she wriggled was merely stoking the flames, and providing nothing in the way of relief.

 ‘Braves Madchen. Good girl.’ The spoon hit the wooden floor with a clatter. The hand which had brought punishment was now providing comfort, as he gently stroked the glowing orbs of her backside.

 A moan escaped her. Her legs parted as if of their own accord, as she thought now of nothing but release.

 ‘It would appear my little slut has been enjoying the spanking I have given her.’ His hand had slipped between her thighs. Clearly he’d noticed that even though it had been painful to endure, she’d found it pleasurable as well.

‘Mein Herr…bitte!’ She writhed in his lap once more, but this time it was to try to get abatement. His fingers at her opening were oh so welcome and yet not nearly enough, and she was growing ever desperate in her need.

 ‘Stand up.’ The contact his hand made with her tender flesh was little more than a tap, but it was still more than enough to cause her to wince anew. She quickly did as he had asked, not wishing to be subjected to a second round.

He helped her to step out of her knickers and led her back to the main shop floor. It was now late afternoon, and there were unlikely to be any more customers for the day.

 With this in mind, he instructed her to bend over the shop counter.

 ‘But Sir? I haven’t shut up the shop for the day, supposing someone were to walk in?’ She looked from the unlocked main entrance back to her lover.

 A sharp smack to her sore bottom was enough to convince her. She did as she was told, bending over the counter to make herself vulnerable once more.

 Soon her skirts were being lifted. She could feel his hardness pressing against her, and feel his breath in her ear. ‘Who do you belong to?’

 ‘You, Mein Herr. I belong to you.’ The correct answer. The only answer, as far as she was concerned.

 And now it was time for a good girl to get her reward.

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

I’ll Love You With Every Beat of My Heart

Jil closed her eyes as she let the warm water flow down her body, leaning into the spray. 

There was nothing like a power shower after all, one of the perks of staying in a hotel. Still, she wasn’t certain she’d wanted a shower at first, preferring to get straight to the ‘main action’ of their ‘wedding night,’ as it were. 

Alan had insisted. ‘You must be tired, after such a long day of standing and dancing and mingling with the guests while looking after a hoard of small children all at the same time, and still managing to look impeccable. Go. Enjoy a quick shower, it’ll make you feel a bit fresher. I’ll pour some champagne and get myself ready to ravish you.’

He’d smiled then, brushing a chocolate strawberry along her lips. When she’d opened her mouth for a taste, he’d teased her by popping it into his own mouth. After a strenuous objection and a playful smack, he’d fed her a strawberry of her own.

She could still taste it as she let herself relax, prompted by the warm water washing down her weary form. Her ankles were particularly achy after standing all day, even though she’d switched to more sensible shoes for the reception. A smile crossed her face as she ran through the events of the day in her head once more, not wanting to forget a single moment of it. 

‘Let me wash those hard to reach spots for you.’ A husky voice in her ear interrupted her reverie.

Her eyes opened almost comically in surprise as she spun round, confronting her husband with a laugh. ‘You! Sneak! No wonder you wanted me to have a shower, you just wanted to come and ambush me and have your wicked way with me in here! But I wasn’t ready! I wanted to surprise you with some bridal lingerie that I’d purchased, just for you.’ Her lower lip puffed out in a pout, even as her hands were snaking up his sides.

‘I’ll pretend to be surprised when you emerge. Scout’s honour.’ He gave the poking-out lip a quick nip. ‘And I promise not to have my wicked way with you until I lay you down among the roses on that giant bed in there.’

She smiled then. ‘Well...if you promise. I guess I’ll let you join me and wash my naughty bits....’

‘Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.’ He grinned happily as he reached for the shower gel.

The shower did lead to a few kisses and caresses, but she pushed him out playfully before they could get carried away, admonishing him to keep his promise. 

‘Okay, okay. I’m going, Mrs Pushy.’ He teased, pressing one last kiss to her nose before disappearing into the room, clad only in a towel. ‘Don’t be all night about it,’ he called back over his shoulder. ‘Or I’ll drink all the champagne myself!’

‘Don’t you dare!’ she called back, giggling. She dried herself off as quickly as possible, luckily she’d tied her hair back and not allowed it to get wet which saved time now. 

‘Champagne!’ She could hear the faint ‘pop’ of the cork. ‘Cooling. You coming out?’ 

A spritz of her new perfume, and then she slipped into the bridal set of lacy white lingerie she’d purchased. Suddenly feeling slightly nervous, she took a deep breath before opening the door to the room to stand before him.

He looked up, eyes widening in surprise before narrowing with lust as he took her in. With an almost feral growl, he stalked towards her before gathering her up in his arms to kiss the breath out of her. 

Even after all this time, she still felt the butterflies stir when he kissed her, still felt the rush of arousal, could feel the blood as it drained to flow south where it was currently most needed. 

One kiss lead to another, and then he took her by the hand to lead her to the bed. He sat first, pulling her into his lap for still more kisses. While their lips were pressed together, he suddenly put his arms around her and shifted his weight while turning, so that she found herself flat on her back on the bed, laid out amongst the roses and underneath him.

She shivered. That little movement had been unexpected, and the masculine-ness of it, of him manoeuvring her as if she were little more than a rag doll, left her feeling almost lightheaded with lust. 

‘Alan....’

‘Shh. Relax, love. Enjoy it.’ He silenced her with yet another kiss, before working his way along her jaw and down her neck, nipping and flicking his tongue over her warm, clean skin as he went. 

‘Ohhh...’ She moaned softly, writhing underneath him as she ached for more: more of his touch, more of the feel of his lips on her overheated flesh. 

Finally, he’d worked his way down to the tiny, lacy thong she was wearing. He hooked his fingers in the waistband, drawing it down with a smooth movement and exposing her to his hungry gaze. ‘That looks familiar.’ He chuckled quietly. 

She could feel his breath on her, which made her squirm in desperate need. ‘I should bloody well hope so, you’ve been seeing it for the last thirty years,’ she managed to quip in return, before carrying on with her little gasps and moans. ‘Alan...please. Take me. Make love to me. Take me, and consummate our marriage once again. Please. Take me....’

A kiss silenced her pleas. He wriggled out of the towel still around his waist impatiently, before placing his full weight on top of her. His hand reached inbetween their bodies to place himself at her entrance, and with a contented sigh, he sheathed himself, sliding fully into her welcoming heat. 

Some time later, after they’d both reached their climax with moans of contentment, they cuddled up together under the sheets of the giant bed, listening to the sounds of the hotel winding down around them as people turned in for the night. She yawned, feeling sleepy and sated, their appetite for one another slaked for the time being. 

‘What’s the matter? Did I wear you out?’ He chuckled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

She giggled softly, nuzzling her head into his chest. His arm was draped over her like a heavy, protective quilt. It was her favourite way to fall asleep, warm and safe in the crook of his arm, her body pressed to his. ‘Yes. You did.’ She yawned again. ‘Goodnight, darling. Sleep well.’

‘Goodnight, Mrs Rickman. I love you.’ He pressed a soft kiss to her lips in the semidarkness.

One of the songs from the evening ran through her head as she lay in his arms. ‘For better or worse, Til death do us part, I’ll love you with every beat of my heart. I swear....’

She would love him forever. With this thought in mind, she closed her eyes and drifted off. 

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

After All These Years

‘Come love me.’ Jil smiled at her husband, holding her arms out to him as he reentered the sitting room.

‘Happily.’ He smiled as he took a seat next to her on the sofa, pulling her into his arms.

‘Much better.’ She sighed with contentment. An arm snaked around his middle as her cheek found its customary spot on his chest. His arm was wrapped around her, making her feel more secure than any security blanket could ever hope to do. ‘Lee okay?’

‘Yes. He’s fine. Just a little fussy. A quick cuddle and a lullaby and he soon went back off to sleep.’ His hand found her hip and gave it a quick pat.

‘I don’t blame him. I always find your voice soothing as well.’ She rubbed her cheek against his chest, enjoying the rumbling vibrations when he spoke. ‘All of our boys always have. You could always get them to sleep when they were babies and I was at my wits end.’ She was quiet for a moment, smiling as she savoured the memories of their precious family. ‘I can’t believe our little RickRick is twenty-five already. Where did the years go?’

She shook her head with a rueful smile. He’d turned twenty-five just before they left for their family holiday to Orlando. It seemed like only yesterday he’d been her precious baby boy, so wanted and so very loved. Now he was a grown man, with a flat of his own and a management position in the fast-food restaurant where he worked. And a serious girlfriend. Lily. Jil had rolled her eyes when she’d heard the name, but Lily was a darling girl. Petite and tiny to the point of near awkwardness, large expressive eyes behind glasses, and a lovely, pretty face. Patrick was seemingly as smitten with her as she was with him.

‘Don’t remind me.’ Alan’s voice interrupted her reverie. ‘I still feel like I’m twenty-five myself. We can’t possibly have a son that age.’

‘Ah, yes. But we do, my darling. Which reminds me. If you were serious about us renewing our vows this year, we need to start making some concrete plans before everywhere good is booked up.’ She gave him a squeeze, snuggling in further. It was their thirtieth wedding anniversary this year, and he’d asked her to marry him - again - the year previous, even going so far as to surprise her with a new diamond ring.

The squeeze was returned with interest. ‘Well, I suppose it depends. Did you want to do the renewal around our actual wedding date? Or before, or after?’

‘Afterwards is tempting, because I’d just as soon not look like a bloated whale in the photographs. However, it will be more difficult afterwards with two extra little ones to look after.’ She thought for a moment. ‘I suppose all being well, I was thinking maybe for us to renew our vows in early May. Do you think just under four months is enough time to organise everything properly? Or do you think we should wait until later in the year?’

Now it was his turn to think. ‘I want you to have everything your heart desires. So I’d rather not half-ass things just to meet a deadline. We’ve got the rest of our lives together, there’s no rush. So how does early September sound instead? That’s like eight months away, so there should be plenty of time to get everything organised. And September is when the Jewish new year begins. So it seems the perfect time for renewal.’

She shifted so she could press a kiss to his lips. ‘You truly are wonderful, do you know that?’

‘Yes. I know.’ He chuckled, a smug grin on his face.

She rolled her eyes affectionately, settling back down into his embrace. ‘So that means I better start organising. I’ll have to get a planner tomorrow. And then I’ll have to start dress shopping, and find shoes and accessories, and then we need to pick out tuxedos for you and the boys, and choose a venue, and....’

‘Oh Lord, woman,’ he interrupted, closing his eyes as he gave a rueful laugh and shook his head in mock disgust. ‘This is going to be expensive, isn’t it?’

‘And I was going to say sample wedding cakes.’ She gave him an arch look.

‘Now you’re talking. And I was only teasing. Of course my little princess can have anything her heart desires.’ This time it was his turn to kiss her. ‘Love you, my little princess. Even after all these years. Especially after all these years.’

‘I love you too. And here’s to many, many more.’

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

‘Okay.’ Jil grinned with excitement, skating away a little bit. She then came skating back towards Hannibal at a good clip, reaching out for him so he could put his hands on the right spot and lift her. She was tiny and he was strong, so it should be easy for him. A few others had stopped to watch the pair of them.

Molly smiled kindly. ‘Pshh. Who says I’m not having fun? I’m helping my boyfriend learn how to skate. By the end of the holidays you’ll be leaping about the ice like Jil and Hannibal.’ She winked, teasing slightly. Of course she would be happy with any progress. ‘You’re doing good. Long smooth strides towards me, glide a bit.’ She moved back further.

A Little Magic In the Air

Happy smiling faces filled the windows as the Hogwarts Express pulled away from Platform 9 3/4.

Jil and Hannibal were in the Prefects carriage again, of course. Jil flopped back in her seat against him, curling her legs up underneath her.

‘Anything from the trolley, dears?’ The Trolley Witch appeared in the doorway, smiling.

The teens bought their fill and sat back down, Jil more in Hannibal’s lap than out of it as they ate their sweets. It was only other Prefects, and Jil and Hannibal had become Slytherin’s power couple over the years. No one was about to say anything about it.

‘So what NEWTs are you taking this year?’ she remarked to the others that were the same age. There was one other girl Jil was reasonably friendly with, a Hufflepuff prefect named Molly. Jil nodded at her.

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

Oh Christmas Tree

‘We’ve only just got home, woman. Do we have to put up the tree right now?’ Jil’s husband groaned as he set up the ladder to get into their loft.

‘You know the routine by now. Yes. But I’ll make it worth your while tonight.’ She smiled at him sweetly as she steadied the ladder from the bottom.

He shook his head as he ascended, but both of them knew deep down that he could deny her nothing. ‘I’ll hand the boxes down to you and then we can go through them once they’re down.’

‘Sounds good.’ That was their usual routine. The tree went up first, and then Jil did the rest of the decorating once that was out of the way.

‘Hand me the torch.’ She obliged, standing ready at the bottom of the ladder. ‘Hang on, there’s a load of crap in the way...’ She could hear him shifting things above her head as he muttered. ‘I think I’ve...got it! This one isn’t too heavy.’

The first box was handed down and Jil duly went and put it out of the way. The process was repeated another six or seven times altogether, and then finally the large box containing the tree made its appearance. He came down the ladder to help her with the heaviest ones, not wanting her to risk hurting herself or the babies.

‘Right! Tree first, of course.’ Jil went to reach for one end of the box when they were interrupted from a tiny cry from the younger boys’ room. They tried to put up the tree when as many as possible of the little ones were down for a nap, to prevent trying to work with excitable small boys underfoot getting in the way. Patrick and Hans were playing video games with the older ones, trying to entertain them. Then the boys would be gathered together and brought in to help put the ornaments and baubles on, once the tree was up and the lights and tinsel on.

Alan went to see to Lee. Once he’d returned, they carried the tree down together.

The tree was set up in a corner of the lounge, next to the fireplace. ‘This is going to be our best tree ever!’ Jil smiled as she got the box with the lights ready. She said that every year. He put the lights on the tree artfully while she fed him the strands, trying not to let them get overly tangled. They’d agreed early on in their marriage that the best trees had multi-coloured lights. None of this white light nonsense for them! A few small adjustments to cover any dark spots and then the tinsel went on, fat silver strands of it.

She stepped back to admire the affect. ‘What do you think, babe?’

He nodded. ‘Looks good. Shall I go get the boys?’

‘Yes, please! They’re going to be ever so excited.’ She smiled as she turned to get the box containing the rest of the tree decorations ready to go.

‘Who wants to decorate the tree?’ She could hear his voice as he called for the boys on his way back from getting Nick, Ty, and Lee up from their naps.

‘ME!’ ‘I DO!’ ‘MEEEEE!’ They were hot on his heels as he reentered the lounge, all shouting at once and doing a sort of war dance of glee around him.

‘There are plenty of decorations to go round, don’t worry.’ Jil laughed as she began to pass out items for the tree.

An item was handed to each boy and various bits of advice were shouted from the other family members as to where it should be placed on the tree. Daddy or one of the older two would pick them up if the decoration was to go on the upper branches so they could still put it on the tree themselves.

Finally, there wasn’t a bare section of tree remaining, save the branch at the very top where the silver star would go. Every year, someone different got the special task of putting the star in its place.

‘I think Patrick should get to put the star on. Because next year, he’ll most likely have a tree of his own to decorate.’ Jil smiled bravely as she made the proclamation. Alan came and slipped his arm around her waist comfortingly. She returned the gesture, holding onto him tightly.

Patrick stood on a step stool to reach the very top, and then the tree was complete. Everyone cheered.

Alan brushed back a strand of her hair so he could breathe in her ear. ‘Just think. In the evening, when the boys are in bed we’ll cuddle up in front of the fireplace, a nice glass of red in hand. And then I’m going to make love to you in front of that fireplace on the sheepskin rug from our bedroom, bathed only in the lights from the tree.’

She shivered, from the sound of his voice as well as what he was actually saying. ‘Sounds like heaven.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Bernie demanded.

‘I was asking your mother when I should go pick up dinner. We’re having curry tonight.’ He winked at her.

‘Curry! Awesome.’ Bernie nodded approvingly.

‘Yes. Speaking of which, I’d better go get my wallet.’ He let go of her, giving her bottom a pat as he walked towards the hallway.

Brandon wandered over, leaning on her legs. ‘I think its the best tree ever!’

The boys didn’t see eye to eye on many things, but that statement was one thing everyone in the family could agree with.

It was the best tree ever, because it was theirs.

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

Back To School

Jil was all smiles as she looked at her boys all gathered on the stoop in front of the door.

‘Right, troops! Everyone say “Recess!”’ She held up her camera for the obligatory first-day-of-school photo.

They jostled each other for position, pushing and shoving. Cookie, the only one currently old enough to attend the Upper school, looked down his nose at the younger ones. It was Nick’s first year at the Primary school, and he looked so tiny and sweet in his little uniform next to his bigger brothers.

Lee was agog as he watched all the commotion with wide eyes from his spot in the pushchair. Ty wasn’t watching at all, face buried in Daddy’s neck as he sulked with jealousy.

'Want to go to school too,’ he muttered bitterly.

'I’ll remind you of that in a few years when you’re begging me to stay home,’ Daddy laughed.

'Oi, you lot! Behave for five seconds and stand still, will you, so I can get this picture taken?’ Jil admonished as she shook her head with fond exasperation. 'Cooperate, or I’ll make you HUG each other!’

Pulling faces at having such a threat hanging over them, the boys immediately stood still and faced their mother.

'That’s better!’ Daddy called, rocking Ty to and fro in his arms, trying to comfort him while Ty clung to him like a limpet.

'Now smile!’ And with that, Mummy took the snapshot with her phone.

Her emotions were mixed as she studied the picture on the screen. Of course she was biased, but they were such gorgeous little boys. They wouldn’t be little for much longer, she mused with a tinge of regret. Nick was starting school already! They were growing up too quickly.

Maybe she and her husband would be blessed with another child to love….

She turned to him and showed him the picture for his approval. 'What scruffbags!’ Daddy teased. 'Are you sure they belong to us?’

'Quite sure,’ Jil murmured with a smile as she texted him a copy of the photo, and then sent it to Patrick and Hans as well. It seemed like only five minutes ago it was her two older sons posing for their back-to-school photo in front of the house.

Daddy moved closer so he could kiss her forehead. 'Come on. Let’s drop these little heathens off and then come home and enjoy the rest of my day off in relative peace and quiet.

She purred from the contact. 'Sounds Iike heaven. Come on boys, let’s go!’

She reached for their hands with a cheery grin, wishing them all good things for their new academic year in her heart.

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

‘I can’t wait.’ Jil giggled softly, giving Hannibal one more kiss before slipping into the car and buckling up. She loved planning these little surprises for him.

Once they got home she hurried into the house ahead of him. Safely inside out of view she stripped while he was putting his keys and wallet down and taking his coat off.

Soon she was just clad in a tiny red lingerie set. There were two small ribbon bows over each breast to untie, and the knickers were held on just by two thin satin ribbon bows. One pull and she’d be exposed to him. She waited eagerly in the hallway for him by the stairs. Once he spotted her the game would begin.

We’ve Only Just Begun

Jil smiled, reaching across the table to hold Hannibal’s hand.

‘This was a wonderful idea for our wedding anniversary dinner, darling. To come back to the place where we had our very first lunch date,’ she hummed happily. After dinner, they’d booked to go on a walking tour that covered haunted spots in downtown Baltimore.

She pushed a small box across the table to him. ‘Happy Anniversary, darling. I hope this is the first of many, many to come.’ The box contained a Rolex watch that was engraved on the back: To my husband. My heart is and always will be, yours. Love always, your Jil.

@doctorwillseeyou